AMBR Hot Rod Special in Pictures and Video

Posted by pikesan on Jan 27, 2009 in Shows & Events, Vintage Rides | 2 comments

2008 Grand National Roadster Show Winner

It’s official, at least it was at about 7:30 Pacific Coast time, 1/25/2009. The “Hot Rod Special” built by Willet Specials in Chicago is the winner of the 2009 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster title. Except for being able to roll forwards and back under their own power, the judging for the AMBR title is like “Riding a unicycle on wallpaper”. (I don’t know what that means either.)

Let’s hope the judges do cause they’re looking for “excellence”. That part couldn’t be a simpler task, really, given that the level of competition for the AMBR is ridiculous. Pretty much every car in the main hall (not just the AMBR contenders) is a “Best of Show” winner at a regular show, but this is the “Granddaddy of them all” the Grand National Roadster show.

When excellence abounds, the judges are forced to find something, “wrong” with the cars. Now there’s a task! Every year, however, a winner is chosen and regardless of any complaining, “AMBR winner” is something that can never be taken away. (even if the car later appears topless in Playboy… in fact, that’s encouraged!)

So here’s the video and pictures I took of the “Hot Rod Special”. The broad details are:

1932 Ford, all steel Roadster done in a 50’s period style with a 460 pony Viper V10 backed by a Tremec T-56 / 6speed. The Costco-like list of subtle body mods also features the more obvious custom fabricated belly pans and head rest. It’s all covered in double-black-back (wanna kiss myself, HEY!) period style paint. Everything rolls on kidney bean style 16 and 17 knock off wheels. Any other details are available at the builder, Harry Willett’s website, Willett Specials.com.

Now the debate begins, was this American’s Most Beautiful Roadster? You can be damn sure it’s one of them!

2008 – 2010 AMBR Award Winners from the Grand National Roadster Show